OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs
Director of Innovation roles on OPT are available across tech, healthcare, and enterprise consulting sectors. Most positions require STEM OPT eligibility or a humanities extension, and employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after your OPT period. Leadership experience and a relevant graduate degree strengthen your profile significantly.
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Get Access To All JobsROLE OVERVIEW:
Sodexo K12 is hiring our polished, community‑minded Director of Facilities Engineering & Operations Adlai Stevenson High School, one of Illinois’ premier public high schools to lead a large, high‑performing Integrated Facilities Management program. This role oversees a 1.2 million‑square‑foot campus that includes two connected high schools, a swimming complex, synthetic athletic turf, and extensive academic and community spaces. Our ideal leader brings strong operational oversight, exceptional communication skills, and the presence to engage confidently with district leadership, high‑profile parents, and community stakeholders. This is a highly visible role in a district that values professionalism, stability, and a deep sense of community involvement.
INCENTIVES: $5,000 Sign On Bonus
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Lead a team of ~6 managers and 110 non‑union facilities team members across maintenance, custodial, and grounds operations for a 1.2M sq ft campus.
- Serve as the primary liaison to district leadership, including the Superintendent, CEO, CFO, and present to the Board of Education, delivering polished updates and presentations.
- Oversee mechanical systems, custodial programs, groundskeeping, capital projects, and construction activities while ensuring compliance, safety, and operational excellence.
- Build strong relationships with parents, community leaders, and school stakeholders; maintain a visible presence at school events, including athletic games.
- Drive a culture of professionalism, accountability, and service excellence while adapting to shifting priorities and diverse personalities within the school community.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHAT YOU BRING:
- Extensive experience in Facilities Management with strong working knowledge of mechanical systems, custodial operations, and groundskeeping.
- Polished leadership presence with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, from frontline staff to high‑profile community members and the Board of Education.
- Proven project management and construction oversight experience, including capital planning and vendor coordination.
- Customer‑oriented mindset with demonstrated success navigating complex organizational structures and senior‑level personalities.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; candidates without a degree must demonstrate strong qualifications, stability, and longevity in previous roles.
- Experience with FMX or other CMMS systems.
WHO WE ARE:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years
ROLE OVERVIEW:
Sodexo K12 is hiring our polished, community‑minded Director of Facilities Engineering & Operations Adlai Stevenson High School, one of Illinois’ premier public high schools to lead a large, high‑performing Integrated Facilities Management program. This role oversees a 1.2 million‑square‑foot campus that includes two connected high schools, a swimming complex, synthetic athletic turf, and extensive academic and community spaces. Our ideal leader brings strong operational oversight, exceptional communication skills, and the presence to engage confidently with district leadership, high‑profile parents, and community stakeholders. This is a highly visible role in a district that values professionalism, stability, and a deep sense of community involvement.
INCENTIVES: $5,000 Sign On Bonus
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Lead a team of ~6 managers and 110 non‑union facilities team members across maintenance, custodial, and grounds operations for a 1.2M sq ft campus.
- Serve as the primary liaison to district leadership, including the Superintendent, CEO, CFO, and present to the Board of Education, delivering polished updates and presentations.
- Oversee mechanical systems, custodial programs, groundskeeping, capital projects, and construction activities while ensuring compliance, safety, and operational excellence.
- Build strong relationships with parents, community leaders, and school stakeholders; maintain a visible presence at school events, including athletic games.
- Drive a culture of professionalism, accountability, and service excellence while adapting to shifting priorities and diverse personalities within the school community.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
WHAT YOU BRING:
- Extensive experience in Facilities Management with strong working knowledge of mechanical systems, custodial operations, and groundskeeping.
- Polished leadership presence with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, from frontline staff to high‑profile community members and the Board of Education.
- Proven project management and construction oversight experience, including capital planning and vendor coordination.
- Customer‑oriented mindset with demonstrated success navigating complex organizational structures and senior‑level personalities.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; candidates without a degree must demonstrate strong qualifications, stability, and longevity in previous roles.
- Experience with FMX or other CMMS systems.
WHO WE ARE:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience – 5 years
Minimum Functional Experience – 5 years
See all 839+ OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Director Of Innovation Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Director Of Innovation
Target companies with dedicated innovation functions
Large enterprises in technology, financial services, and healthcare are most likely to have standalone innovation teams. These organizations have established HR processes for OPT and H-1B sponsorship, making them far more receptive to international candidates than smaller firms.
Align your degree field to the role explicitly
Director of Innovation roles often fall under specialty occupation requirements. Make your application letter and resume explicit about how your degree in engineering, business, or a related field directly qualifies you for the innovation strategy work the employer describes.
Quantify your innovation impact with measurable outcomes
Employers sponsoring senior-level OPT candidates need to justify the hiring decision internally. Concrete metrics, such as revenue generated, products launched, or cost reductions driven by initiatives you led, make the business case for sponsorship far stronger than general leadership claims.
Engage directly with the hiring manager, not just HR
For director-level roles, decisions often rest with executives rather than recruiters. Connecting directly with the chief innovation officer or equivalent before applying signals strategic intent and gives you an opportunity to address OPT authorization before it becomes a screening concern.
Time your applications around your OPT start date carefully
Many companies avoid hiring candidates whose OPT authorization is less than 12 months from starting. Apply early enough that you can start within the first few months of your OPT period, giving employers a comfortable runway before your H-1B eligibility window opens.
Emphasize cross-functional leadership and ambiguity tolerance
Innovation directors routinely operate across product, engineering, and business strategy without formal authority. Highlighting experience leading cross-functional initiatives demonstrates the soft skills employers prioritize at this level, which can outweigh visa-related hesitations for the right candidate.
Director Of Innovation OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Director of Innovation?
Yes. F-1 students with approved OPT authorization can work in Director of Innovation roles as long as the position is directly related to their field of study. The role typically qualifies under business, engineering, or technology degree fields. STEM OPT extension applicants get up to 36 months of total authorization if the employer meets E-Verify requirements.
Do Director of Innovation employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Larger organizations with established innovation functions, particularly in technology and healthcare, are among the more consistent H-1B sponsors at the director level. Sponsorship is not universal, so it is worth verifying a company's sponsorship history before investing heavily in an application. Migrate Mate filters Director of Innovation jobs by OPT and sponsorship eligibility so you can focus your search on employers who have sponsored before.
Does a Director of Innovation role qualify as a STEM OPT position?
It depends on your degree field. If you hold a STEM-designated degree in engineering, computer science, data science, or a related discipline, and the role involves technical innovation work, it may qualify for STEM OPT. Roles framed primarily around business strategy and organizational design under a business administration degree typically do not qualify for the STEM extension.
What happens to my OPT status if my Director of Innovation contract ends early?
If your employment ends before your OPT authorization expires, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work but must find new employment, change status, or depart the U.S. For director-level roles with project-based or contract structures, this risk is real. Maintaining open communication with your DSO throughout employment helps you respond quickly if your situation changes unexpectedly.
Is a Director of Innovation role considered a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
OPT itself does not require a specialty occupation determination the way H-1B does. However, your authorized OPT work must relate directly to your degree program. When you later apply for H-1B sponsorship in this role, USCIS will evaluate whether Director of Innovation qualifies as a specialty occupation, which often depends on how the employer defines the position's educational requirements in the job description.